Change Happens ...

... and so does divorce (the real enemy of marriage).

I'm not sure I can emotionally continue Mudholer here on this blog as everything has now changed. But I might continue my writing elsewhere. I'll let you know soon.

As Winston Churchill once said, “There is nothing wrong with change, if it is in the right direction”.

All Good Things Must ....

Come to .... an open ended ending of some sorts.

You've got to get to the stage in life where going for it is more important than winning or losing. - Arthur Ashe

I’ve loved the last twnety plus months of writing for MudHoler. During this period I’ve learned a great deal about myself, my life, MudHole, and the world around me. I enjoy this blogging thing. But, lately, keeping up with the posting responsibility has been a continual challenge, and the reality of life these days is that I simply need more time for my kids, my family, and my friends. So, with that being written, MudHoler will come to a bit of an extended vacation. I’m not putting it to an end, just yet, but I am relieving myself of the responsibility of frequent posts.

After the election in 2004, I was a lot more depressed than I cared to admit. I sincerely believed in the bumper sticker that stated, “If you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention!” And although MudHoler is much more than a political blog this site gave me a place to vent my frustrations and hope that my words could do some good.

Ultimately, this site also gave me a forum to explore some creative writing and communicate with distant family and friends. It has given me a wonderful opportunity to express my thoughts and fulfill a promise to myself to write more (as I’ve had a screen play running through my head for about ten years now). MudHoler has been incredibly helpful in working through the process of getting my thoughts out through my fingers and down onto something readable to share with others. With a bit more time, who knows what might be next .... that screen play maybe?!

So, after the election results from Tuesday started rolling in, I felt a great relief. I experienced a bit of a burden being lifted from my MudHoler shoulders. I’d like some of that time back now because life is good. The new house is really taking shape. There are a ton of fun yard work and garden projects still to start and finish. The holidays are coming up. The Smokin’ Hot Wife’s job is simply sky rocketing now. I’m enjoying doing a ton of cooking. I’ve recommitted to the gym (not that I ever stopped, it just has fallen to once/twice a week instead of my required three minimum). It is, after all, the middle of football season. And I simply don’t feel the need to put writing as high on the priority list.

Please understand, this is not necessarily the eulogy for MudHoler. I intend to keep writing on my thoughts and events near and dear to my heart. I will still link to things I think are unique and should be discussed. This little online journal of sorts will keep chugging along, just not with the frequency it used to have. In fact, for those who got tired of my political rants and raves, you might enjoy this site a bit more now. If you haven’t already noticed, it has already taken a turn toward the fun side and away from the negative that politics can put forth.

So, until the next time ...

For My Birthday

I think I need to get one of these for my birthday.

For Those About to Blog, We Salute You

New words have been noticeably absent in my blog. I have reviewed this pitiful output over the last few months. And I suck. My resolve, my willpower, has been ... elsewhere.

My yard looks good, though. All my sprinklers are in working order. The garage has stayed fairly maintained as we can still park two cars in it. I’ve been going back to the gym with much more regularity. I am dedicated there, no doubt.

I will admit, I’ve “thought” about blogging quite a bit. I’ve gotten quite close what with all the political fodder out there. I’ve had a lot to cheer for as my Wolverines and Detroit Tigers are doing very well. But....

Inspiration to put it all down, however, has been lacking. Hopefully, I can again rededicate myself here at MudHoler. First, I need a nap. Sleep, lately, has been about as easy as blogging.

I Believe

I had my doubts. I’ll admit it right here. I just wasn’t confident that Michigan could beat the Golden Domers. I really didn’t think the defense could hold up through the fourth quarter. I had real doubts the offense would be able to throw downfield with any consistency.

But, this is a new year. This is Michigan football 2006. This is one of the most complete games against a substantial opponent that I have seen in a long, long time.

GO BLUE!

Go Blue Saturday

Tomorrow starts an important new day. It is the start of the 2006 college football season and another round of cheering on the maize and BLUE.

Right now, everything is possible. Michigan could go undefeated, gain the Big 10 title, and maybe win the National Championship. It could happen.

I just got a call from best friend, Unka’ Tim. He is making his way to the game with a car loaded for tailgating. If you have never been to a big, college football game it is worth it at least once. I enjoy hanging out near the band building listening to the drum corp whip the crowd into a frenzy. I get a thrill joining the crowd marching behind the band up to the Big House. I like watching the teams rush the field and hearing the crowd grow crazy. The first day of Michigan football is a huge day in the year because it is full of football glory.

I hope the Wolverine D plays tough for all four quarters. I’d like to see a strong running game to support an exciting passing attack. I want to witness Michigan football at its best.

More than anything, I want this 2006 UofM team to prove that last season was just an anomaly. I trust this team is motivated to prove to the rest of the college football world that last year was an aberration.

Tomorrow, I wear the Blue hat with the big, maize ‘M’ and the Girlie will sing “Hail to the Victors” with me at each touchdown. And the Boy and I might throw some passes at half-time. Life is good again. Football is back.

Go Blue!

To Blog or Not to Blog. That is the question.

Blogging has been difficult over the last month. I've been on trips to a wedding in Indianapolis, a week long work conference in Hollywood, and a fantasy football draft weekend in Las Vegas with my wife (and a handful of friends). And we all know what happens when you are away from the office for some time..... Blogging has not been a priority.

However, I have been keeping a list and have actually started a few posts that should find their way to the site shortly. I have no plans for the three day weekend and look forward to some quiet time with the laptop.

Rumsfeld's Misunderstanding of Dissent

Dissent is the highest form of Patriotism. -- Thomas Jefferson

...and Kieth Olbermann couldn't agree more. He doesn't blog often, but when he does, he is brilliant.

In response to Mr. Rumsfeld's speech to the American Legion the other day, Kieth's response is poetic .... and I loved the quote from journalist Edward R. Murrow at the end.

We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. We must remember always that accusation is not proof, and that conviction depends upon evidence and due process of law.

We will not walk in fear, one of another. We will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason, if we dig deep in our history and our doctrine, and remember that we are not descended from fearful men, not from men who feared to write, to speak, to associate, and to defend causes that were for the moment unpopular. - Eward R. Murrow, 1954.

The Lunatic Fringe at the Airport

lunatic fringe
NOUN: The fanatical, extremist, or irrational members of a society or group.

It takes less time to do a thing right than it does to explain why you did it wrong. - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I just returned from a cousin’s wedding in Indianapolis. It is always fun to reunite with family. However, this was a quick trip to see the people I love. It was hurried. There was very little time to relax. But, I had plenty of time to think. I thought this ...

It started at the airport, LAX. I hate being late. I don’t like to rush. I’d rather be early and bored than late and frantic. So, I got there real early. Good thing I did, too. I stood in a line for ATA instead of airTrans Airlines. It was a simple mistake. The two airlines were just two desks apart. I was comforted in my stupidity by the fact other intelligent folks made the same mistake.

Late and frantic. The Lunatic Fringe ... Most people at least attempt to leave on time. Most people attempt to park as close as possible to diminish the distance and time of walking. Most people wait until the last possible minute. At the airport, nearly everyone glanced at their watches to judge how far off the mark they were to their schedules. Eventually, as the lines took longer and longer to shuffle through, I watched as the fear of running behind crept into reality. By the time they got through the security corrals, they realized they were now quite late. Anger started to fester in their necks. Panic took over. They walked fast. Faster. Some lurched forward in a slight jog. Did they make it? I guess they did. They never showed up back at the bar where I enjoyed my people watching and newspaper. I am sure those lunatic people still succeed. They just look like lunatics. And at what price?

My way is to leave early. Depending on the flight (or appointment), it might be just a ten minute cushion or it could be up to an hour. It depends on the airport or appointment. See, I prefer to not deal with the hectic. I prefer calm. I’d rather watch the frantic, lunatic people than be a frantic person. Actually, I just don’t want to be at fault for whatever might happen (like standing in the wrong line). It is one thing to have a plethora of problems occur in life and deal with them accordingly. It is another to cause the problems myself. I don’t want the responsibility for problems. So, I just go early.

Think of it this way. In business, UPS and FedEx are making a killing off of lunatics and frantic people. We have become a culture of last minute, on-the-go convenience. Do we plan out the weekly dinners or do we pick up fast food on the way home? Do we casually fill the gas tank when it gets down to about a quarter a tank or do we wait until the light comes on and frantically look for the next station, no matter the price? Do we do the safe thing and buy tires for the car when they start to show the appropriate wear and tear or do we wait until they are dangerously bald? Do we shop for gifts at the last minute (like birthdays and weddings) succumbing to what they registered for out of desperation or do we take the time to find something appropriate and personal and tuck it away months in advance?

I believe there is a subtle difference between urgent (last minute) and important (planned). Urgent is always a cop out. It is simply too easy and justified in the minds of the lunatic people. Everyone can agree when something is urgent. Urgent trumps important everytime. Everyone gets heated over a crisis. Mistakes happen. People miss things. Urgent is easy because everyone agrees about Urgent. Urgent is vital. It is pressing ... Urgent sucks.

No, I’d rather languish in Important. One can have a beer or a glass of wine and still deal with Important. One can study what is right and correct with the appropriate amount of time. Important is weighty. It is central and valuable. Nothing about Important says late and frantic.

It is easy to justify panic when you are running to catch a plane. But in today’s culture it seems to be harder to justify simply getting up a half hour earlier to avoid the problem altogether. A stroll to the flight gate might seem like a waste of time. I see it as an important part of the travel schedule.